Razman offers public apology to Anwar over LGBTQ slander

KUALA LUMPUR - Perak Pas commissioner Razman Zakaria has apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over a slanderous speech while campaigning ahead of the 15th general elections last November.

At the Taiping High Court where he was to face a defeamation suit filed by Anwar today, Razman read a statement of public apology for claiming that Anwar aimed to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) interests if Pakatan Harapan (PH) won the elections and he became Prime Minister.

Her read the apology statement publicly in front of the Judicial Commissioner Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin, stating that the speech he made on Nov 6 last year had offended and slandered the Tambun member of parliament.

"My expression had morally tarnished Anwar's good reputation and caused him embarrassment and distress.

"I take this opportunity to retract all slanderous accusations thrown at him," he said.

Razman, who is also Gunong Semanggol state assemblyman, admitted regret and promised to never repeat the expression in any form or manner in the future.

The court then recorded the settlement agreed on by both parties after hearing his statement.

In the proceedings, Anwar was represented by lawyers Datuk SN Nair, Jaden Phoon Wai Ken and Wong Guo Jin while Razman was represented by lawyer Datuk Naran Singh.

Nair, when contacted by the media, had confirmed the matter and said his client had received the apology.

On Dec 5, Anwar, as the plaintiff, filed a suit naming Razman as the sole defendant.

In the statement claim, Anwar said the defendant spoke of the matter during the 15th General Election campaign at the Tebuk Pancur night market on Nov 6 last year.

He said the speech was broadcasted live on the defendant's Facebook account, which garnered more than 94,400 views, more than 5,100 reactions, 429 shares and more than 2,600 comments until last January.

According to the PKR President, the Facebook live video broadcast was then published in news portal articles dated 6 Nov, 2022, in both Malay and English.